Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021
6. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the details of the Covid-19 business aid scheme will be announced, the qualifying criteria outlined and funding paid out. [13796/21]
View answerToday (March 11th) I announced that applications are now being received by Local Authorities for phase 1 of the new €60m small business assistance scheme. The aim of this scheme is to provide grants to businesses ineligible for the Government’s other existing schemes such as CRSS and is designed to help with fixed costs e.g rent, utilities and security.
Wholesalers, suppliers, caterers down 75% or more in turnover and in receipt of a rates bill may benefit, including those that commenced after the 1st November 2019 where their turnover is below projections.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 21st April, 2021.
A payment grant of €4,000 is available for the first quarter of this year A decision on payment for the second quarter of this year will be made in due course. To qualify for the scheme, enterprises must have:
- 250 employees or less;
- Turnover of over €50,000; and
- The turnover of the business over the claim period is estimated to be no more that 25% of previous levels
- the scheme is available to companies, self-employed, sole traders or partnerships;
- the business is not eligible for CRSS or Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme or other sectoral grant scheme;
- they are in receipt of a rates bill from their local authority for business which operates from a building, or similar fixed physical structure on which business rates are payable (mobile premises, or premises which are not permanently fixed in place, do not meet the definition of business premises nor do premises on which no rates are payable);
The scheme will be run on a first-come-first-served basis. Further details of the scheme are available on my Department's website www.enterprise.gov.ie.
I am committed to helping businesses respond to the economic challenges arising from the pandemic. Business owners have made sacrifices right across the country in order to protect their communities. The Government continues to monitor the situation and the schemes available.
